Play toy in the form of interchangeable blocks and method for locking interchangeable blocks

ABSTRACT

Invention Patent for a set of interchangeable blocks, intended to be used as toys, toys for motor development, planning and building skills development toys. The shape of blocks ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7  and  8 ) are based on a cubic shaped block ( 1 ), with rounded edges ( 9 ), featuring—at the edge shared by two adjacent sides (A and B and/or B and C and/or A and C and/or A and D and/or A and E and/or F and B and/or F and C and/or F and D and/or F and E), perpendicularly to the aforementioned sides—at least one narrow slot ( 10 ) with a perfect fit for the partial insertion ( 111 ) of the locking disc ( 11 ); the said cube-shaped block ( 1 ) is also offered as a cobblestone-shaped block ( 2 ), scalene block ( 3 ), bulged triangular block ( 4 ), rectangular triangle block ( 5 ), trapezoidal block ( 6 ), half cube block ( 7 ) and portal block ( 8 ).

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention refers to a toy, more specifically a set of interchangeable blocks with a locking method enabled by an additional device, allowing to set up varied ludic scenarios by the different shapes in which the blocks are presented, intended for the field of toys, motor skills development toys, planning and building skills development toys.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

The first reference to toys in block format goes back to year 1693. There are wood models with different shapes that were stacked in order to form something. In order to improve the experience and increase stability and length of exposure, some models feature fitting devices between modules or blocks.

A solution can be understood by patent application U.S. Pat. No. 349,646, issued 21 Sep. 1886, entitled BLOCK, which claimed, a rectangular block with grooves on the top, which conform to multiple squares, adapted and designed to receive lower edges from other corresponding blocks.

This solution came to be staggered and produced in many different forms in the product of the manufacturer INTERLEGO, with numerous patents dating, as from the middle of the 20th century.

A different form of interlocking is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,822,499, issued Jul. 9, 1974, entitled TOY BUILDING BLOCK SUITABLE FOR A PAD, RAFT OR THE LIKE which claimed a plurality of semi rigid blocks to form a floating cushion or raft, each block being cube-shaped, and may have truncated corners. The faces are provided with a hole to receive detachable elements with cylindrical body with spherical heads, allowing it to be attached to another block, with the head inserted in its hole.

The national patent application, PI9402723-4, published on Apr. 2, 1996, entitled TOY, claimed a toy made of rectangular blocks, each equipped with ditch, on its bottom, symmetrical to spike at the top to coupling adjacent blocks.

The relevance of the above-mentioned models lies in the stacking form and lateral predisposition. The model discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 349,646, like the overwhelming majority of existing blocks, has a face provided with a protruding device and a face with a symmetrical recess or that allows it to receive and interlock the aforementioned protruding device. Document U.S. Pat. No. 3,822,499 on its turn, requires a certain coupling ability between the components, in that, when the detachable member is inserted in the first block, by compression of the ball head into the bore, the free, opposing head, upon compression of an adjacent block, may press the head into the block to which the other head has been interlocked. Although the body is solid and the mentioned hole has a limited depth, in view of the structural conformation of the block in semi-rigid material, it may cause failure of the head to be coupled with the corresponding hole.

Another drawback of the listed models, except for PI9402723-4, as well as most interchangeable block toy models, is that the improved locking requires a greater effort and technique of the child, incurring in frustration that can trigger momentary and, even continuous stress, if successive attempts fail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Taking into account the known elements, the inventor has developed the present toy, object of this patent application, hereinafter referred to as PLAY TOY IN THE FORM OF INTERCHANGEABLE BLOCKS AND METHOD FOR LOCKING INTERCHANGEABLE BLOCKS, which comprehends blocks made from polymeric material, based on the quadrangular geometry of a cube with rounded edges, featuring at the common edge of two adjacent sides, centered perpendicularly to mentioned sides, one or more narrow slots, with a perfect fit to hold ¼ of the locking device, whose thickness is equal to or greater than the width of the aforementioned slot. The block may have the shape of a cube, extended to form a cobblestone, or additional shapes, such as that of a scalene triangle, a triangle whose longest side is bulged, a trapezoid, a half cube or a cube with a cavity. The toy includes disk-shaped locking devices, also offered as a half disc or a polygon (quadrilateral, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, among others). The method of interaction with the toy consists of the juxtaposition of two or more blocks, aligning at least one slot of each block, coupling a locking device and, if desired, juxtaposing other blocks, moving one of its slots towards the exposed portion of the locking device, which has the function of providing the immobilization and alignment between adjacent blocks, dispensing accurate technique for the engagement and undocking of the parts. Blocks and locking devices may be made from polymeric material of varying densities, featuring smooth or textured surfaces to improve the grip while handling them, with different colors for each of the elements, patterns or colors.

The benefits of this toy in interchangeable block format with flattened locking device are many: it develops strength in both fingers and hands, improving hand-eye coordination, without requiring too much effort; encourages the child to make friends and cooperate; encourages interaction; fosters imagination and creativity as the child designs and assembles new block sets; intellectually, the child develops mental potential as well as his vocabulary, as it describes shapes, sizes, colors and positions; by grouping elements, the child develops mathematical skills, adding or subtracting; sharpens his perception of the disposition and alignment of blocks; expands his experience with gravity, balance and geometry learned by handling the toy blocks.

FIGURES THAT ILLUSTRATE THE OBJECT OF THE PATENT APPLICATION

Hereinafter, the object of this patent application will be described in detail, including joint numerical references to the following description, without any restriction to the proportions and materials to be used in its industrial manufacturing, where:

FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, show the top and bottom perspective of a multi-geometric block assembly with coupled locking devices, so as to allow for a better understanding of how blocks interact, as well of the locking method itself;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of detail A of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are orthogonal, respectively, front and bottom views of an assembly of several blocks of different geometries;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of detail A of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a block, in the shape of a cube;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a block, in cobblestone format;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views, of opposite angles, of a block with triangular profile;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views, of opposite angles, of a block with a triangular profile and a larger bulged face;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective views, of opposite angles, of a block with rectangular profile;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are perspective views, of opposite angles, of a block with trapezoidal profile;

FIGS. 18 and 19 are perspective views, of opposite angles, of a block with half-cube profile;

FIGS. 20 and 21 are perspective views, of opposite angles, of a block, in the shape of a cube with a portal-shaped cavity;

FIGS. 22 and 21 are perspective views, of opposite angles, of a block, in the shape of a cube with a portal-shaped cavity;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the disk-shaped locking device;

FIGS. 24 and 25 are orthogonal, respectively, front and profile views of the disk-shaped locking device;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the locking device, in its half-moon or half-disc variant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the above figures, the PLAY TOY IN THE FORM OF INTERCHANGEABLE BLOCKS AND METHOD FOR LOCKING INTERCHANGEABLE BLOCKS, the main object of this patent application, comprises blocks (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) shaped to form a basic geometry—see FIG. 8, of the cube block (1) with rounded edges (9); the said blocks (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) at the common edge of two adjacent sides (A and B and/or B and C and/or A and C and/or A and D and/or A and E and/or F and B and/or F and C and/or F and D and/or F and E), centrally, perpendicularly to the aforementioned sides, are provided with at least one narrow and rounded (101) slot (10), the axis (102) of its radius being centered at the intersection of the sides; the geometry of the slot (10) conforms to a portion (111) which is equivalent to at least ¼—see FIG. 24—of the locking device (11) or half of the locking device (12), with a thickness equal to or greater than the width of the aforementioned slot (10). The said bock, in addition to its basic cube (1) form, presents variants of the cobblestone block (2), which features twice the width of the cube block (1); the scalene block (3), with a scalene triangle profile, from the angular cut, at 45 degrees, of a cube block (1); the bulged triangular block (4), from the angular cut on, at 45 degrees of the cube block (1), with a large rounded side (41); Rectangle triangle block (5), from the angular cut of half the cube block (1); a trapezoidal block (6), constructed from the cube block (1) with angular cut, from the upper end to the median portion (M) of the cube block (1); half cube block (7) is obtained from the parallel cut with any of the sides, in the medial portion (M), of half the cube block (1); and the portal block (8) consists of the geometry of the cube block (1), provided with a cavity (81).

A preferred construction form of the blocks (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) comprises: 12 (twelve) slots (10) in the cube block (1); 12 (twelve) slots (10) in the cobblestone block (2); 5 (five) slots (10) in the scalene block (3); 5 (five) slots (10) in the bulged triangular block (4); 1 (one) slot (10) in the rectangular triangle block (5); 6 (six) slots (10) in the trapezoidal block (6); 4 (four) slots (10) in the half cube block (7) and 8 (eight) slots (10) in the portal block (8). A variant—not shown—of the cobblestone block (2), provides 16 (sixteen) slots (10). The block locking method (1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 and/or 7 and/or 8) comprises the juxtaposition of at least two blocks, the alignment of at least one slot (10) on each block, the coupling of a locking device (11) or a half locking device (12) and, if desired, juxtaposing other blocks by moving one of its slots towards the exposed portion of the locking device (11 or 12). The locking device (11) allows the locking of up to 4 (four) adjacent blocks (1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 and/or 7 and/or 8) or, by using the locking device (12), the locking of up to 2 adjacent blocks is achieved (1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 and/or 7 and/or 8). Each block (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) or locking device (11 or 12) may have a smooth or textured surface for improved grip while handling, with elements featuring different colors, patterns or blended colors. Other shapes, based on the basic geometry—see FIG. 8—of the cube block (1), including or not one or more slots (s) (10) may have, for example, a profile with corrugations, repeated triangles, slots, arcs, a passing hole to the opposite face, openings; pyramidal geometry, cylindrical geometry. The locking device (11 or 12) can be replaced by a device with a polygonal shape (pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal), for example, whole or divided in half, with a perfect fit to the geometry of the slot (10). The preferred shape of the slot geometry comprises a straight angle, which accommodates the locking device in its various polygonal shapes (pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal). 

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A block for use in combination with other blocks to form a plurality of interlocking structure in a play toy, comprising: a three-dimensional body having at least two rectangularly-shaped faces, wherein a first rectangularly-shaped face and a second rectangularly-shaped face of said at least two rectangularly-shaped faces are joined along a first edge and oriented perpendicular to each other; and a first slot positioned on said first rectangularly-shaped face, said second rectangularly-shaped face, and said first edge, wherein said first slot is configured to receive one fourth of a disk-shaped locking device.
 22. The block of claim 21, further comprising: a third rectangularly-shaped face of said at least two rectangularly-shaped faces joined to said first rectangularly-shaped face along a second edge.
 23. The block of claim 22, wherein said third rectangularly-shaped face is joined to said second rectangularly-shaped face along a third edge, and said third rectangularly-shaped face is oriented at a 45 degree angle with respect to said first rectangularly-shaped face, and said third rectangularly-shaped face is oriented at a 45 degree angle with respect to said second rectangularly-shaped face.
 24. The block of claim 23, wherein said three-dimensional body has five faces that form a triangular profile.
 25. The block of claim 22, wherein said third rectangularly-shaped face is oriented perpendicular to said first rectangularly-shaped face, and a second slot is positioned on said first rectangularly-shaped face, said third rectangularly-shaped face, and said second edge, wherein said second slot is configured to receive one fourth of a disk-shaped locking device.
 26. The block of claim 25, wherein said three-dimensional body has six faces that form a cube.
 27. The block of claim 26, wherein said three-dimensional body has a slot at least partially positioned on each edge formed, by said six faces of said cube.
 28. The block of claim 21, wherein said three-dimensional body comprises a half pipe-shaped cavity.
 29. The block of claim 21, wherein said slot is positioned at a midpoint along said first edge.
 30. The block of claim 21, wherein said first slot extend from one face of said three-dimensional body to another face of said three-dimensional body.
 31. A system for selectively joining multiple blocks in a play toy to construct a structure, comprising: a first block having a three-dimensional body with a first rectangularly-shaped face and a second rectangularly-shaped face joined along a first edge and oriented perpendicular to each other; a first slot positioned on said first rectangularly-shaped face, said second rectangularly-shaped face, and said first edge, said first slot having a slot width; a second block having a three-dimensional body with a third rectangularly-shaped face and a fourth rectangularly-shaped face joined along a second edge and oriented perpendicular to each other; a second slot positioned on said third rectangularly-shaped face, said fourth rectangularly-shaped face, and said second edge, said second slot having said slot width; and a locking device having a predetermined width equal to or greater than said slot width, wherein said locking device is configured to form an interference fit with said first slot and said second slot to selectively join said first block and said second block.
 32. The system of claim 31, wherein said first block further comprises a third rectangularly-shaped face joined to said first rectangularly-shaped face along a second edge.
 33. The system of claim 32, wherein said three-dimensional body has six faces that form a cube, and wherein each edge formed by said six faces of said cube has a slot.
 34. The system of claim 31, wherein said locking device is disk-shaped, and wherein approximately one fourth of a volume of said locking device is positioned in said first slot, and approximately one fourth of said volume of said locking device is positioned in said second slot.
 35. The system of claim 31, further comprising: a third block having a third slot with said slot width; a fourth block having a fourth slot with said slot width, wherein said locking device is configured to form an interference fit with said third slot and said fourth slot to selectively interconnect said first block, said second block, said third block, and said fourth block.
 36. The system of claim 31, wherein said locking device tapers from said predetermined width to a continuous edge that extends around a circumference of said locking device.
 37. A method for selectively joining multiple handheld blocks in a play toy, comprising: providing a first block having a three-dimensional body with a first rectangularly-shaped face and a second rectangularly-shaped face joined along a first edge and oriented perpendicular to each other, said first block having a first slot positioned on said first rectangularly-shaped face, said second rectangularly-shaped face, and said first edge, said first slot having a slot width; providing a second block having a three-dimensional body, said second block having a second slot with said slot width; providing a locking device having a predetermined width equal to or greater than said slot width; positioning at least a portion of said first slot adjacent at least a portion of said second slot; inserting said locking device into said first slot and said second slot to produce an interference fit between said locking device and said first slot and an interference fit between said locking device and said second slot to selectively join said first block and said second block.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein said positioning step includes positioning said first rectangularly-shaped face of said first block adjacent to a third rectangularly-shaped face of said second block, wherein said second slot is at least partially positioned on said third rectangularly-shaped face.
 39. The method of claim 37, wherein said locking device tapers from said predetermined width to a continuous edge that extends around a circumference of said locking device to locate said locking device relative to said first slot and said second slot during said inserting step.
 40. The method of claim 37, further comprising: providing a third block with a third slot having said slot width; providing a fourth block with a fourth slot having said slot width; positioning at least a portion of said third slot adjacent said first slot; positioning at least a portion of said fourth slot adjacent said second slot and said third slot; inserting said locking device into said third slot and said fourth slot to produce an interference fit between said locking device and said third slot and an interference fit between said locking device, and said fourth slot to selectively join said first block, said second block, said third block, and said fourth block. 